Hitching-post



mL. Tm AP RG PN ST.. .w NT ,.m A d. d o M O m Patented Feb. 18, 1896.

f UNiTnD STATES k-ATnNT @Erica AUGUSTUS N. SPRATT, OF ALPENA, MICHIGAN.

HITCHINe-POST.'

SPECIFICATION forming partj of Letters Patent No. 554,963, datedFebruary 18, 1896.

Application filed January 7, 1895.

To @ZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, AUeUsrUs N. SPRATT, a citizen of the United States,residing at Alpena, in the county of Alpena and State of Michigan, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in I-Iitching-Posts; and Ido declare the following to be a-full, clear, and exact descriptionofthe invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to whichit appertains to make and use the same, .reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon,which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements inhitching-posts of that class in which the strap, rope or chain isconnected with yielding means to overcome any severe shock or injury tothe animal that might be caused if the strap or chain were rigidlyconnected.

It has for its objects, among others, to provide a simple and cheapbitching-post hav. ing provision for preventing noise or pounding as thestrap or chain is retracted within the post, and also to preventmoisture or snow from getting inside of the post.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear,and the novel features thereof will be specifically defined by theappended claims.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings,which, with the letters of reference marked thereon, form a part of thisspecification, and in which- Figure l is an elevation of my improvedhitching-post with the chain or rope retracted within the post. Fig. 2is a substantially central vertical section through the same with thechain partly withdrawn. Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of theupper end of the post.

Like letters of reference indicate like parts throughout the severalviews.

Referring now to the details of the drawings byletter, A designates apost of any suitable material, in this instance shown as of wood, whichmay be as fanciful in appearance asmaybe desired, and this post is boredlongitudinally to form the chamber AQ which may extend for a greater orless distance within the post. The upper end of the post Serial No.534,123. (No model.)

is preferably rounded, as seen best in Fig. 3, and over the said upperend of the post is placed a cap B, preferably of metal, rounded upon itsupper face so as to the better shed the water or snow, and this cap maybe as fanciful as may be desired. It is shown as embracing the upper endof the post A, and the bead b at its lower end rests upon an annularshoulder a on the post, to which latter it is secured in any suitablemanner. This cap has a central opening and a depending sleeve or collarBQ which fits within the upper end of the bore of the post, as seen bestin Fig. 3.

C is a hollow plug or sleeve fitted within the collar B of the cap, asshown. It may be of rubber or any other suitable material to preventabrasion and noise, and its upper end is flush with the upper face ofthe cap and rounded to conform to the curvature thereof.

D is a stout spring having one end fastened within the bore of the postin any suitable manner-as, for instance, as shown in Fig. 2, where it isshown as fastened to the pin E, its other end being secured to the loopF on the lower end of the cable G, preferably of wire, the other end ofwhich passes through the hole in the plug C and is fastened in anysuitable manner to the metallic block or fastener G, which has anopening or eye g for the attachment of the chain, rope or strap I-I, theother end of which maybe provided with a snap-hook or other suitabledevice for the hitching of the animal. The block G is provided with anannular shoulder g', as shown in Fig. 3, against which is held a ring I,preferably of rubber, the under face of which is concave to conform tothe curvature of the upper face of the cap, as shown, so that when theblock is down against the cap it fits snugly so as to exclude allmoisture or snow, and thus protect the parts within the post.

J is a stop-collar on the cable G to limit the extension of the spring,and this stop may be adjusted upon the cable to regulate the tension ofthe spring as may be necessary.

It is deemed important that the outer diameter of the rubberring begreater than that of the plug and sleeve and its inner diameter lessthan that of the plug, as shown, so that the metal of the cap and blockwill not contact with each other and there is less liability to rust.The rubber plug Within the sleeve is also important, as it prevents theline or rope from coming in contact with the metal, especially at thepoints where it would otherwise bear upon the edges of the opening inthe cap, and the rope is thus prevented from wearing, and when the plugbecomes Worn it can be readily removed and replaced by another.

Vith the parts constructed and arranged substantially as abovespecified, the operation will be apparent, and, briefiy stated, is asfollows: The chain or analogous means being attached to the animal bythe snap-hook or other device, the animal pulling or working on the linein any direction Will cause the line or cable G to be drawn from thepost A, as shown in Fig. 2, thus extending the retractible spring D,which, as it is extended, becomes stiffer, and thus causes an increasedresistance to the pull of the animal until the collar J comes in contactwith the plug C, thus preventing further extension and breaking of thespring. As soon as the animal ceases to pull or the strain is removedthe spring causes the cable to be drawn into the post until theattachment G' with its ring comes in contact with the upper face of thecap. This eifectually closes the opening in the top of the post andexcludes the snow or rain. rlhe rubber plug and the ring upon theattachment G will prevent any noise or pounding as the cable isretracted within the post. The spring is shown as partly extended inFig. f3.

The eheapness and durability of the post will recommend it to thosehaving need for such a device, and the operating parts being coniinedwithin the post and protected from theweather there is no danger of thesame becoming inoperative from such cause.

A post constructed as above described is such that a eribbing horsecannot crib at the post, for as soon as the animal puts his teeth on thecap against the block and presses the block it immediately turns oversidewise as the spring within the post gives way and there is nopressure or resistance and the horse must go elsewhere to crib.

Having thus described my invention, what l claim as new isl. Theimproved bitching-post herein described, comprising the chambered posthaving rounded upper end, the cap secured to the upper end of the postand embracing the same and having rounded upper end resting on therounded upper end of the post and formed with an integral sleevedepending within the bore of the post, the rubber plug held within saidsleeve, the spring having one end secured within the post, aline securedto the other end of said spring, a block secured to the outer end ofsaid line, and having an annular shoulder and reduced portion, alineattached to said block and arubber ring fitted around the reducedportion oi' the block and bearing against said shoulder, allsubstantially as shown and described.

2. The improved bitching-pest herein dcscribed, comprising the chamberedpost having rounded upper end, the cap secured to the upper end of thepost and embracing the same and having rounded upper face resting on therounded end of the post and formed with an integral sleeve dependingwithin and litting the bore of the post, the rubber plug held withinsaid depending sleeve, the spring having one end secured within thepost, a line secured to the otherend of said spring, a block secured tothe outer end of said line and having an annular shoulder and reducedportion, a line attached to said block and a rubber ring fitted aroundthe reduced portion of the block and bearing against said shoulder andconcaved on its under iace and extended outward beyond said shoulderwhereby the direct contact of metal with metal is prevented,substantially as and for the purpose speciiied.

In testimony whereof I ailix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

AUGUSTUS N. SPRA'V. lVtnesses:

FRANK HUNrnnss, E. E. Tumi.

